Nearly 500 runners gathered at Harrison High School for the second annual Olivia Kate’s Path 5K, held in honor of Olivia Kate Pugh, a beloved senior who passed away in late 2023. The event, which took place in February to coincide with what would have been Olivia’s 20th birthday on Valentine’s Day, also raised funds for a scholarship established in her name.
The run is significant for the community as it both commemorates Olivia’s life and supports local students through the Olivia Kate Pugh Strength and Shield Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded each year to Harrison seniors who demonstrate hard work and deliberate acts of kindness.
“We picked February for the 5K because February 14th is Olivia’s birthday. She would have turned 20 on Valentine’s Day,” said Tara Pugh, Olivia’s mother, addressing the crowd of runners. “I can hear her telling me she would no longer be a teenager, and I have no doubt plans for her 21st birthday would be well underway.” Mrs. Pugh described her daughter as “so kind and loving, strong and determined, smart and funny, and the hardest worker. All of that hard work paid off with all the college acceptances and scholarships she received, most of which she never got to see.”
The race began and ended on the school track—a meaningful location for the Pugh family due to their many hours spent at Harrison High School during various athletic events. “We spent a lot of time here, between track meets for Olivia and soccer games for Alex in the spring…and then one day she told us she was going to play flag football…next thing we knew, we were back in the stadium for flag football games,” Mrs. Pugh said.
Olivia was remembered not only for her achievements but also her generosity; after receiving her driver’s license, she chose to become an organ donor—a decision that saved four lives. “Olivia was the most beautiful person down in her soul, and I couldn’t be more proud of her,” Mrs. Pugh said.
Participants included people of all ages—students, teachers, parents, grandparents—and even babies in strollers or dogs on leashes joined in support of the cause. Carter Holmgren won as overall male runner while Palak Shah was named overall female winner.
Harrison High School offers extensive extracurricular options including athletics and performing arts according to its official website. The school serves students from Kennesaw as part of its role within Cobb County School District according to its official website. It has received recognition for academic excellence based on state assessments and college readiness metrics as per its official website. As a public high school affiliated with Cobb County School District according to its official website, Harrison aims to deliver comprehensive education featuring Advanced Placement courses, career pathways, and fine arts per its official website.
Reflecting on this year’s event as it concluded, Mrs. Pugh said: “It was a fantastic day from start to finish…The weather was perfect…We are especially grateful for our sponsors who helped make the 5K possible…I promise Olivia every day that she will never be forgotten, and everyone here today is helping me keep that promise.”
